[ music ] a group of international monitors captured in ukraine could be used as human shields. hello. i am sam fymy fadan. life from dohar. afghanistan's election goes to a second round after no candidate secures at least 50%. palestinian president says he is still open to the peace process despite israel pulling out. and remembering those killed in china's tiananmen square massacre. a new museum opens in hong kong.

now european leaders are set to hold emergency talks on monday to discuss the crisis in ukraine. they are considering another round of sanctions against russia for its actions in ukraine's east. they say pro-russian gunmen are coordinating with moscow. it's worried the osce members could be used as human shields if government forces try to free them. eight observers have been missing for more than 24 hours. ukraine's prime minister has cut short a visit to rome to runner to kiev. >> we urge russia to pull back its security forces, not to prove occasion and not to support russian lead terrorists. deployed in southern ukraine. we edge russia to leave us

alone. >> self-declared leaders in slovyansk have accused some of the monitors of espy espionage. barnaby phillips reports >> reporter: on both sides, funerals are becoming political event did. this time, it was pro-russian separatists laying one of their heroes to rest in the town of slovyansk. lubinetz killed by ukrainian soldiers two days ago, now a martyr for his cause. >> love live dombus. ukraine with russia russia. long live donbus >> it's also in slovyansk that the military observers are being held who have ignored the demands of several who have been released. >> they are not observers. they are spies. we have information confirming

that, information confirming the spy activities was in their papers >> this is the administration center in donetsk. as you can see, there is no sign that pro-russian groups are giving up their control room. their barricades are still up. but let's go over here and see the other side of life in the east because for most people, things are going on as normal. they might be anxious, but they are keeping their opinions to themselves. >> that's the same, not just in donetsk but across eastern ukraine. >> closer to kiev, they were marking a grim anniversary. 28 years since the chernobyl accident although it was events on the eastern border that seemed to preoccupy the politicians who came to this event. >> if russia continues its aggression and ignores decisions made during negotiations, including the ones from geneva, then ukraine has to stay strong and resist the occupants' forces >> yuliata tymoshenko hopes to

the next president but the elections could depend upon a successful resolution of this crisis with russia. >> let's go live now to barnaby phillips in donetsk in eastern ukraine. so what is the situation like there in donetsk there, barnaby? >> reporter: as you saw in my report, sammy, the administrative headquarters is firmly under the control of the separatists. they have had it under their control for a couple of weeks now, sandbags up, barricades, barbed wire and, you know, they are quite tough when you approach them. they are full of anti-western rhetoric and they say they are not going anywhere. although there is a sense that the town's normal life goes on around them. certainly people keep their opinions to themselves. but, you know, it's been a glorious spring saturday. we have had wedding processions go past.

we have seen children playing football in the park, all other kind of things that you would expect at this time of year. so, i think there is an underlying anxiety, but this is typical across the east that at a superficial level, things seem pretty normal actually >> reporter: >> we have a lot of focus on those organization of security incorporation in europe monitors who have been helped. what's the word on their fate? are talks going on to try to secure their release? >> reporter: well, we did have a german source earlier saying an osce delegation was on its way to mediate, but there has been nothing concrete and nothing encouraging from the point of view of those held that has come out of this. in fact, you saw in my report that the rhetoric from the separatists who are holding them is fairly belicose, accusing them of espionage. there is a possibility of some sort of russian involvement earlier in the day. the russian government said it

would be working on this matter, but we also heard from the russian foreign minister, sergey [ laughing ] he was talking about the need lavrov, one of the successionist leaders who has been detained for a couple of weeks now. there is the suggestion from the sep rat test side explicitly there should be some sort of prison exchange. i think from the sep rat te separatist side, there is a difference between foreigners, several germans, a swooed, a pol, and one picked up in slovyansk who they are explicitly referring to as "spies" >> barnaby phillips live for us there from donetsk. afghanistan's e tleks commission has confirmed the presidential poll will go to a second round. there will be a run-off vote.

the stage is set for the second round to be held in june. >> we are satisfied with the result. i think we are prepared if it goes to second round, yes, we think it's doable, and we have a tentative schedule of june 7th to start the second round. this is just the preliminary announcement of results. now, the commission will look at any irregularities and make a formal announcement next month. analysts say there are protocols in place to check for any instances of electoral fraud >> reporter: the independent election commission had a mandate to look at the suspicious vote and to quarter an teen them. therefore, this is a provitional count and, therefore, from tomorrow, on, for another 20 days, the complaints will be educated. the quarantine box need to be

all theed and the votes need to be inspected where there are suspicions or complaints or information about fraudulent votes. after that, a final result will be confirmed by the independent complaint commission and, therefore, will be announced by the independent election commission. this initial result is now indicating that there will be a run-off. the process compared to the last election, there are improvements, but there are also irregularities in the way that the commission handles itself and we have been calling on them to make sure the trans piece is increased for the candidates to trust the result of the account, there need to be further trans parents in the handling of the independent complaint commission. well, staying in afghanistan, more than 180 people have been killed by flooding caused by three days of heavy rain. thousands of people have also been forced from their homes. survivors are in urgent need of

medicine and drinking water. people in many remote areas say they have received no help from the government. five nato soldiers have been killed in a helicopter crash in southern afghanistan. the accident happened in kandahar province. it's understood the helicopter came down because of a technical fault. the crash is still under investigation. at least 15 people have been killed in a series of apparent sectarian attacks in the iraqi capitol, baghdad. the killings come a day after bombings hit a shiia political rally killed at least 37 people. >> at a time al-qaeda-linked said it was behind the attack. it targeted an event for a movement accused of carrying out several sectarian attacks across iraq. hundreds of its members are fighting alongside government forces in syria.

security is going to be a big issue when iraqis do go to polls on wednesday. many are wondering if security forces are up to the challenge of safeguarding the capitol not just for the vote but for the long-term. iman kahn reports >> this is election command. cameras are rarely allowed into the nerve central that controls the movement of troops on the ground. as iraq's election gets closer, the government understands it faces security challenges. >> translator: the enemy is always trying to demoral eyes us by spreading sectarian hatred to prevent iraqis to go exercise their democratic right to vote. we believe the stakes are high. but we feel we have a concrete plan to guaranty security. >> checkpoints such as this dot the city. you can find them every few kilometers and they are the most

visible sign of the government security plan. the soldiers understand. >> translator: we are the spearhead of the open war on terrorism in general. we are fighting terrorism on behalf of the region and especially in iraq and backdad. it continues with al-qaeda-linked groups. >> his confidence isn't shared by many in baghdad. there are attacks across iraq every day. the damage is clear to see along with people's frustrations with their politicians >> reporter: according to the united nations, over 2,700 people have died as a result of violence in attacks like these since the year began. >> grim statistic will likely have an impact on people as they visit the polling booth come april 30th. imaran k. ahn, baghdad >> a strategic win for syriaw

regaining an area on the border with lebanon. plus, britain celebrates the 450th birthday of its greatest pl playwright william shakespeare. >> we pray for the children in the womb >> a divisive issue >> god is life , so it's his to take >> see a 10 year old girl who's pregnant, and you tell me that's what god wants... >> a controversial law >> where were you when the babies lives were being saved? >> are women in texas paying the price? >> who's benefiting from restricting access to safe abortions? >> fault lines... al jazeera america's hard hitting... ground breaking... truth seeking... breakthrough investigative documentary series access restricted only on al jazeera america al jazeera america. we understand that every news story begins and ends with people. >> the efforts are focused on

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with xfinity on demand you can always watch the latest episodes of tv's hottest shows. good news. like hannibal... chicago fire.... ...and bates motel. the day after they air. xfinity on demand. all the latest episodes. all included with your service. it's like hi-fiving your eyeballs. xfinity...the future of awesome. th welcome back. let's recap the headlines here in al jazeera now. ukraine says pro-russian gunmen who detained a group of european observers are coordinatednating with moscow. senior european leaders are

holding emergency talks on monday on the ukraine crisis. afghanistan's presidential vote is set to go to a second round. it will be between abdullah abdullah and the former world bank official. at least 15 people have died in a series of apparent sectarian murders in the iraqi capit capital baghdad after bombings of at a rally killed at least 37 people. al jazeera continues to call for the immediate release of its journalists being held in egypt. the trial is being adjourned until may the 3rd. they have now been in jail for 119 days. peter guesta, mohammed setbi and mohammed mohatma. shami, the fourth in detention has been held without trial since last august. he's been on hunger strike for the last 96 days. al jazeera rejects all charges

and continues to demand the immediate release of its staff. the syrian army has regained control of the alamun region west of damascus. opposition rebels surrendered after intense fighting. it was their last major stronghold along lebanon's border and as azana had you hods >> reporter: their last stronghold in the region west of damascus, iran's t.v. broadcast pictures of dozens of opposition fighters handing themselves over to the syrian authorities. >> translator: they were forced to absent the truce because supply lines were cut. the area has been sealed off by the syrian army on one side and the lebanese army and militia on the other side. >> it is lies in the strategic

kalamun region. fighters with hezbollah, lebanon's shiia movement supported the army. they have taken control of the areas other than the past few weeks. the government has consolidated control over the damascus highway that leads to the stronghold along the coast. the syrian president visited malula, one of the recently recaptured cities. >> you defended the country. the military and political victory here will be recorded in modern history. >> over recent months, syrian's t.v. has shown pictures of opposition fighters aband oning the insurgency and joining with authorities call the reconciliation process. state media says 500 men surrendered in march, alone >> some in the opposition are calling those men at any raters, but at the same time, there are those who say these fighters have become disillusioned. the opposition is in disarray.

they receive little support. the so-called mott rad groups are out numbered and out gunned by the extremist groups. it's not just that >> the government is on a major offensive. the do you know of mulihi has been under heavy bombardment. this major push is seen as part of asaad's campaign to be re-elected in june. recent military gain, recaptured territory and pictures like that are all designed to strengthen the government's position before the e elections. al jazeera. >> the. >> an associate professor of international affairs says it was necessary for asaad to claimville of victory >> the longer the war has been going on, the balance was tilting toward asaad. with the elections in syria coming in june, in basically two months, it was very, very important for asaad to claim a

military victory, which he has done today. this is very, very important for the survival of the system and if things go as they have been going, i think the conflict might be obvious veiated in a few months from now. it seems like the option of a political solution is no longer on the table. basically, the opposition is divided and they don't want to get into any talks. the opposition has made a pre-condition for negotiating and so on and so forth if asaad goes. this was never an option. >> palestinian president mahmoud abbas says he is open to rest t restarting the peace process. israel withdrew a. they said they must release

palestinian prisoners. more from ramula. >> reporter: the session started its two day session today, first session they have had since july of 2011. it was kicked off with palestinian president mahmoud abbas giving a speech to clarify what the meeting was about. he said in the next two days they will primarily focus on the new reconciliation agreement between the plo, primarily fatah and hamas and the stalled talks with the israelis. he said it's primarily the israelis' fault the talks were going nowhere. >> translator: what we have noticed these days and the talks of these days stressed that the israelis do not want appe wise, reasonable two-state solution that leave together instability and security. >> reporter: although we expect some minor policy decisions to

be made, it should be mentioned some faxes, including hamas are not in attendance >> a magnitude 6.5 earthquake has struck off of the northeast coast of tonga. the u.s. geological survey says the undersea quake was 10 kilometers deep, struck 75 kilometers from the pacific island. people felt a short and violent jolt but there were no reports of significant damage. thousands of people from around the world have started arriving at saint peter's square to watch the vatican can onnize two popes. some slept overnight. more plan to camp out to get the best spot ahead of sunday's ceremony. around 1 million people are expected to attend the canonization of pope john paul ii and pope john xxiii. a powerful storm and tornado has ripped through the u.s. state of north carolina. it damaged homes and downed dozens of power lines. heavy rain also made it near impossible to drive or walk

outside. u.s. president barack obama has arrived in malaysia on the third leg of his asian tour. he is the first american leader to visit the country in nearly 50 years. his visit aims to rebalance u.s. attention towards the strategic asia pacific region and to push a regional trade agreement. the world's first permanent museum dedicated to the 1989 tiananmen square protest has opened in hong kong. discussion of the violent military crackdown is banned in mainland china. it's hoped the new facility might educate many who don't know about the event. a report from hong kong >> reporter: with a rip of a copy of china, newspaper dated 25 years ago, the museum is declared open. >> it's designed as a maze and takes the visitor through the events leading up to the june 4th crackdown by the military in which student protesters were killed. at just 75 square meters, it's

one of the smallest museums around but organizers expect it to have a big impact. >> we are targeting the younger generation that are born after the june 4th massacre so they can come and experience what we have experienced at that time, to show the despair, and the hope at that time brought about by the democracy movement >> reporter: the group behind the museum is made up of lawmakers and pro-democracy activists. they formed in 1989 to support and help fund the beijing students' democracy movement. with a model of tiananmen square and interactive images, the museum hopes to educate mainland tourists. last year, there were 41 million visitors from across the border. many mainlanders are unaware of the crackdown because all reference to it is banned there. but there are citizen groups who feel that the discourse could threaten hong kong's stability. latisha lee says the exhibition

shows one side of the story. people want to move on. >> the tiananmen square incident is like a word created by history. why can't we leave it alone and let it go and stop bringing it up with regularity? >> reporter: some who share her views gathered outside the building housing the exhibition. >> the newsmuseum is creating a of noise from a confrontation between the supporters and its detractors. >> the commotion and the press will draw attention to the museum but it could also jeopardize its existence. the exhibition ends as the goddess of democracy, but she may have to find a it new home soon. the building's owner is threatening legal action saying the museum will be disruptive 2309 other tenants. al jazeera, hong kong. signature korean investigators detained the remaining four crew

members of a ferry that sank last week. all are now in custody. they are accused of negligence and failing to help passengers when the ferry started take okay water. 300 people are either dead or missing. the captain is accused of ordering passengers to stay in their rooms and taking half an hour to order an evacuation of the boat. >> chinese planes searching for the missing malaysian airline fright returned to perth. the crew were unable find any debris. eight military aircraft and 11 ships took place in the latest search for flight 370. the airliner was on its way to beijing when it disappeared 7 weeks ago. authorities in panama have burned more than nine tons of illegal drugs including cocaine, heroine and mayrijuana worth billions of dollars. it is often used as a transit point from drugs being smugged from south america to the u.s. >> hundreds of low-ranking soldiers have marched through

the capital demanding better opportunities within the army. they want changes allowing them to obtain the rank of officer. they say the current system gives prevarential treatment to senior officers. it follows sacking 700 mean for saidition, rioting and political activity >> hundreds of nepalese risk their lives to guide hikers. they are paid thousands of dollars for the dangerous hike. the recent death has highlighted the disproportionate risks they are making to help foreign climbers reach the summit. al jazeera spoke to one nepalese monk about how the tragedy affected their tight-nit community. >> translator: i am 7th generation of lamas. i have been here for 50 years and spent a large amount of the time in the diocese. the shepherd community has many monks. i look after a district near

everest. [bell tolls ] >> they not only help with relunchesous communities but in ceremonies around birth and death. >> translator: the tragedy of everest has meant i have had to perform many funerals. i have known many of the victims and their families for years. they are like family. the shepherd community is devastated as is the country. families have been looking to us for guidance, though we have a duty to give them religious guidance for the here and now and the afterlife. i inc. such tragedy needs to be remembered by generations to come, perhaps a memorial, a religious school or college could be named in their memory. it could help the families to remember them but also help them to move on with their lives.

>> . celebrations are staking place in the u.k. this weekend to mark the 450th university of shakespeare's birth. emma hayward reports on how one of the greatest play rights is being remembered in stratford upon avon. >> reporter: on the stratford streets he use to roam, a pageant fit for a litterary icon, a thousand strong revelling in the work of william spa sha shakespeare >> to the music of the morrismen to a birthday cake carried by horses. his followers put on a good show >> this is a town that thrives on the memory of william shakespeare and his birthday is an opportunity for them to come out and celebrate his work >> shakespeare's ink rungs through the lifeblood of this town. >> why shall i see wholesome

days again by his own interdiction stands a curse? >> his appeal >>f even the young here like to get in on the act. >> shall i compare thee to a summer's day? thou art more temporate. >> william shakespeare! >> during his lifetime, shakespeare quote wrote 37 plays and more than 150 pope. critics sometimes questioned his rise to prominence over his peers. few have managed to gain his stature for such a long time >> people ask me if shakespeare is relevant? and i always say if love is relevant, if joy, if politics, if war, if grief, if ambition are things people feel, shakespeare will always be relevant >> the bard's future appears to be in safe hands with the next

generation of followers already learning his language. emma hayward, al jazeera, in stratford upon avon. from shakespeare to the crisis in ukraine, you can get all of the latest on the stories following here if you head to our website aljazeera.com. >> ithis is the declaration of independence 2.0. >> the gettysburg address, the america's most important speech, the words of abraham lincoln is the latest of burns work. >> the flawed hypocrisy of thompson jefferson's original declarations.